Referees see red over let-off for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany

REFEREES are in a rage after Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany had his red card rescinded yesterday.

Mike Dean sent off Vincent Kompany for a lunging challenge on Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere

Mike Dean sent off Kompany for a lunging challenge on Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere at the Emirates on Sunday, but yesterday an independent panel convened by the FA upheld Kompany’s appeal.

Kompany would have been banned for games against Fulham and QPR in the Premier League, plus an FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Crystal Palace or Stoke.

Dean’s colleagues did not think Kompany’s challenge was particularly heinous. Like the rest of the country, referees were divided on whether it was dangerous enough to warrant a dismissal. But they argued Dean made an honest judgment and they are furious he has not been supported.

The FA’s own rules stipulate a red card can only be overturned for a “clear and obvious mistake in law”. Dean’s colleagues insist he did not get the law wrong.

Dean himself chose not to review his red card, because Kompany let both his feet leave the ground and so was not in control of what happened next.

Express Sport understands that Dean was backed by the Premier League and by referees’ supremo Mike Riley.

Express Sport understands that Dean was backed by the Premier League and by referees’ supremo Mike Riley

The referees say they will now be unsure whether to punish dangerous tackles.

And that doubt could encourage hazardous challenges and lead to serious injuries.

• ASSISTANT referee John Brooks, who told City players to salute their fans for paying £62 to watch the match at Arsenal, was “stood down” for last night’s FA Cup replay between West Brom and QPR.

But the match officials organisation insisted that Brooks was not being punished.

“We just want the focus to be on the game and not on an assistant referee,” said a spokesman.